Gas-generator



R. B. AYRES.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 3.1920.

1,399,285, Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

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ATTORNEY AINVENTOR '(5.

R; B. AYRES.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3.19201 1,399,285. Patented Dec. 6,v 1921.

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` 4 INvENToR 36 4 ful/en w ATTORNEY UNITED STATES REUBEN B. AYRES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GAS-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Application :Filed July 3, 1920. Serial lNo. 393,851.

To @il whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, RnUenN B. Arens, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, N. Y., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in GasGenerators, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producing gas from a hydrocarbon, which gas when properly mixed with other elements-as, for instance, superheated steam, and air-may be burned under a boiler, or may be used for explosion in the cylinders of internal combustion engines, or for other purposes, and my invention has for its object the more eflicient utilization of hydro-carbon fuels, and especially those of low grade.

Among the advantages of my improvement are: the production of a gaseous mixture which burns completely, and the 1efore when used as an explosive charge results in elimination of carbon deposits in the cylinder and on the piston rings and spark plugs; the elimination of valve troubles and overheating. The device is compact, notJ easily disarranged, and is safe in operation. lt is adapted to the use of gasolene, kerosene, al-

Ycohol. naphthil gas, oil. petroleum, and sim"- lar substances.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevational view of an apparatus of preferred form by which my invention may be practised; parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectionalview on the line 2 2, FiO'. l;

F ig. 3 is a section on the line 3-8, Fi

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective det a nozzle Fig. 5 1; and l Fig. 6 is a view, more or less diagrammatic showing the supply tank for the various elements consituting the gaseous mixture.

My improved method contemplates the introduction of a hydro-carbon in a gaseous state into a suitable mixing chamber, and steam, and the mixing of these elements together by the introduction of air under p ressure. In many cases it is more convenient is a section on the line 5-5, Fig.

to use a hydro-carbon fuel in liquid form, which is preferably prepared for combustion by being heated to be converted into a gas.

My improved method, therefore, consists more particularly in thus heating a liquid hydro-carbon fuel, in heating water to the point of forming steam, and introducing the fuel gas and steam into a mixing chamber t0- gether with air under pressure.

While my invention may be practised by the use of various forms of apparatus, for the purpose of illustrating a practical embodiment thereof, l have shown in the drawings a preferred form of device which is eminently suitable to the carrying out of my invention. 1

Referring to Fig. l, this apparatus consists of a heating chamber l, and a mixing chamber including an upper chamber 3, from which upper chamber the mixture may be led by any suitable means to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine or to a steam boiler. The chamber l is provided with a cylindrical portion l, to which is bolted an end plate 5 and a plate 6. The central vportion of the cylinder forming the heating chamber l is provided with a burner for heating purposes, the detailed construction of which will be hereinafter described, and surrounding said burner are conduits in the form of coiled pipes for conducting the elements constituting the mixture. e pipe 7, entering the cylinder at its lower portion, F ig. l, may be connected to-a water supply, and after entering the cylinder said pipe is coiled at 8 about the burner,several turns being made, and said pipe finally leading through a pipe v9 to a nozzle 10 in the mixing chamber 2. ifi hydrocarbon fuel is supplied through a pipe ll, which passes through coils 12 about the burner, said coils V12 being located outsideV of and concentric with the coils 8, and terminating in anozzle 13 also situated in the mixing chamber 2. In order that the gas formed by the heating of the hydro-carbon, and the steam formed by heatthe water, may be thoroughly mixed and commingled, and prepared for combustion, l also introduce into the mixing chamber air under pressure. Preferably this air is also heated, and for this purpose is introduced through a pipe lll into the heating chamber near the top thereof, and passing in a coil 15 a lower chamber 2, and 'l such a temperature as to about the burner terminates in a nozzle 16 in the mixing chamber 2.

The thorough mixing of the fuel gas, steam and air is accomplished preferably by constructing the mixing chamber so that the gases are com elled to follow a more or less winding or spiral passage way. To this end the upper portion of the chamber 3 is in the form of a cylinder reaching into the por tion 2 of the chamber, which also is provided with a cylindrical wall 17. Within the portion 2 there is an opening 18 in the cylinder wall 3, the space between the cylinder Walls at one edge of the opening beingclosed and preferably this closing 1s effected by making the air nozzle of suflicientl size to lill this space, and clearly indicated in Fig. 2. The opening of the nozzle is toward the cylinder wall 17, so that as the gases enter the passage way between the cylinder walls of the mixing chamber, they are constrained to follow the passage way thus provided until they reach the opening 18, when they enter the upper portion 3 of the mixing chamber, whence they may be conducted by means of the conduit 19-Figl-to `the engine. 1f desired, baflles 2O may be provided in the passage way shown in FiU. 2.

lin order to regulate the llow `of the elements into the mixing chamber, which elements enter the chamber under pressure, the nozzles are preferably made adjustable, and one of those is shown in enlarged detail, Fig. 4, and for convenience this may be considered the air nozzle, the other nozzles being similarly constructed. The outer wall 16 is providedv with a slot 21. An inner cylindrical portion 22 fits into the outer cy lindrical portion 16, the inner and outer portions being relatively rotatable. Said inner cylinder is providedv 'with a slot 23, which may register with the slot 21 to give the reatest discharge of gas from the nozz e. Rotation of one cylinder relatively to the other may effect closing of the opening through the two cylinders to any desired extent, such rotation being effected by means of holes 23 sunk into the outer cylinder 16, which in the particular form of device shown in Fig. 4 isthe rotatable part. A wire pin 24, inserted in a hole through a lug 25 projecting from the inner cylinder, serves to hold the two parts of the nozzle together. The inner cylinder of each nozzle is connected to the end of the coil pipe leading from the heating chamber.

The burner already referred to is situated in the central portion of the chamber, and comprises an outer `cylindrical wall 26 and an inner cylindrical wall 27. The interior of the burner 28y communicates with the mixing chamber, so that the gases therein may enter the chamber 28 of the burner and pass through openings 29 in the outer cylin drical wall 26 of the burner, said portions 29 constituting flame slots. 1n order to regulate the amount of gases entering the burner I provide a damper, shown at 30- Fig. 3, said damper consisting of a disk 31 suitably apertured; said apertures registering with similar apertures in the end of the cylinder 27, when Vthe disk 31 occupies a given position. Rotation of the disk 31 will act to control the amount of gases which may pass into lthe burner, and this rotation is controlled by a stem 33 secured to disk 31, and having at its opposite end a knob 34. lTo control the amount of gas passing through the flame slots 29,*the inner cylinder 27 is provided with cut-out portions 35 of substantially triangular form, and `the cylinder 27 is slidable within the cylinder 26, this sliding being effectedV by a rotating knob 36 which is connected to a screw 37 engaging the lower portion or" the cylinder head 5 and engaging the cylinder 27. The slots 35 are formed with parallel slides at their apices, resulting in a pilot flame being constantly available. rlhe slots, however, may be entirely closed when desired. By the means just described, the amount of heat supply to the heating chai ber may be regulated to suit different conditions of fuel and outside temperature. The walls of the heating chamber 4 are provided with suitablef openings for the admission of air to support combustion at the burner and for the purpose'of permitting the escape of excessive heat.

The elements constituting the explosive mixture may be supplied from any suitable sources, and for this purpose l have shown, more or less diagrainmatically in Fig. 6, a Supply tank and connections for this purpose. rl"his supply tank consists of an air chamber 3S, an oil chamber 39, and a water chamber40. Compressed air may be supplied to said tank'from any suitable source, and from said tank leads a pipe 41, said pipe being tapped at 42 to supply air above the oil in chamber 39, said pipe 41 terminating at 43 in the chamber 40. A conduit 44 leads `from a position near the bottom of the oil chamber to the oil pipe 11, while a similar conduit 45 leads from the lower portion of the water chamber to the water pipe 7.

pipe 46 also leads from the air chamber to the air pipe 14. Y

Throttle valves, under control of stem 47, may be providedfor the water, oil and v air pipes respectively. Y

While 1 have shown a preferred embodiment of a device'for practising my invention, it is to `be understood that other forms of apparatus may be used, and that the apparatus shown may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mixing chamber, said chamber comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with an opening therebetween, closing means extending the passage between the cylinder walls at one edge of said opening and means for introducing a hydro-carbon gas, steam, and air, under pressure into said chamber behind the said closing means whereby said elements are constrained to follow the passage between the cylinder walls until said opening is reached, said elements mixing and thoroughly commingling in said passage and within the inner cylinder, whence they may be conducted to the engine.

in an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mixing chamber, said chamber comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with an opening therebetween, a space between the walls of said cylinder constituting a circular passage way, conduits for the admission of a hydro-carbon gas, steam, and air, under pressure, said conduits terminating in nozzles in said passage, one of said nozzles being of a size to extend across the passage between the cylinder walls at one edge of the opening.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mixing chamber, said chamber comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with an opening therebetween, a space between the walls of said cylinder constituting a circular passage way, conduits for the admission of a hydro-carbon gas, steam, and air, under pressure, said conduits terminating in nozzles in said passage, one ot said nozzles being oit a size to extend across the passage between the cylinder walls at one edge of the opening, and means for adjusting said nozzles to control the proportion of elements constituting the mixture.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a heating chamber, coils surrounding said chamber for conducting a fuel to be converted into gas, a mixing chamber to w iich the gas is conducted and in which it is mixed with other gases, a gas burner located in said heating chamber, said gas burner communicating with the mixing chamber, a valve for regulating the flow ot' gases from said mixing chamber to said heating chamber, a gas burner in said heating chamber, said valve having a stein whereby itw may be rotated, a sleeve slidable on said stem, and means for regulating the iow of gases to said burner carried by said sleeve.

5. in an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a mixing chamber, conduits for the admission to said chamber of a hydro-carbon gas, steam and air, under pressure, said conduits terminating in nozzles in said mixing chamber, said nozzles comprising inner and outer slotted cylindrical portions, there being relative rotational movement between said cylindrical portions to adjust the amount oit opening through said slots.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a gas burner comprising an outer casing and an inner casing relatively movable, said outer casing having llame slots therein, triangular openings in said inner casing, said openings at the base ofthe triangles being` of a width equal to the length of said flame slots whereby a movement of said inner casing will result in varying the amount of gas permitted to pass through said flame slots.

Signed at New York day of June, 1920.

REUBEN B. AYERS.

city, N. Y., this 29th 

